Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association - Voice For The ...

i am very
humbled ...
I have assumed the office of president and it is my honor to have been elected this year
as your president. I salute our outgoing President, Randy Wilson, for his loyal dedication
to TCDLA and his continued involvement in the coming years. He bleeds TCDLA blood
and he brought forth new ideas and implemented them. Having seen the organization run
for the last 10 years as a director or officer or committee member, I can report to you that
TCDLA is in the best shape of its life, both financially and administratively. While we are
very financially healthy, there must always be cautious in our sources of income and our
expenses. We must be mindful of our sources of revenue from grants to membership. We
have now jumped into a new era of financial fitness and strict accounting. Our staff at the
home office is tremendous as is our Executive Director, Joseph Martinez. He and I and all
officers and staff are here for our members and I look forward to a great year of service with
their help and yours.
Robert Lerma
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
We are blessed with a fine group of officers and board whom I know are all greatly dedicated.
I do not intend to make any changes to our operations at this point. I strongly believe in a
“hands off” approach to the administration and will continue to let the home office do their
jobs. If there is a crisis or key decision to be made, it will be made by us all, not just by me. I
enjoy the input of all committee members, board, officers and members. Our purpose and
duty is to speak and act on behalf of our members as well as to take a lead in the criminal
defense arena, including educational programs designed to better the criminal defense bar.
Our website has our schedule and we are in the range of over 40 seminars during the year in
all areas of our state. I intend to continue the push to get out of the metropolis and into the
suburbs and rural areas. This extends our reach into the country and in a way humbles us to
the real size of our state. This also expands our reputation as the premier criminal defense
lawyers group that is recognized nationally. We have a long range planning committee looking
to the future and welcome input of ideas for the future from our membership.
Again, I am very humbled to have been elected as your first hispanic president and pledge
to keep our great group on track and continue to look forward to the future. Please do not
hesitate to ask for help from any of us.
Bobby Lerma
President 2006-2007
G
6 VOICE FOR THE DEFENSE July/August 2006